Blackhawks shoot for Cup repeat

1997-98 Red Wings last team to go back-to-back

September 28, 2013|By Helene Elliott, Tribune Newspapers

The Blackhawks poses with the Stanley Cup during the opening ceremonies of the Blackhawks Convention. (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune)

The Kings learned last season how difficult it is to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, and they deserve credit for reaching the West finals after losing defenseman Matt Greene for much of the season and defenseman Willie Mitchell for the entire season. Now it's the Blackhawks' turn to attempt a repeat, a feat no team has managed since the Red Wings triumphed in 1997 and '98. The Hawks have a good shot, especially because they have stayed intact and infused some youth. But the Blues have the potential to go far and the Kings have kept their 2012 Cup core, so there are no guarantees. Realignment and a new playoff format mean the top three teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs, along with the next two highest-placed teams in each conference. It will be possible for five teams to qualify from one division and three from another. Here's how the West shapes up, in predicted order of finish:

Pacific Division

1. Kings

2012-13: 27-16-5 (59 points)

5th in West

Losing defensive stalwart Rob Scuderi to free agency will hurt, and they'll need Jake Muzzin to step up. They also need Matt Frattin to boost their weak scoring from the left side. He likely will skate alongside Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Jonathan Quick could be the U.S. Olympic team's starting goalie at the Sochi Olympics. Two concerns: Dustin Brown missed most of camp because of a hamstring pull, a bad start for a player who must be physical to be effective, and center Anze Kopitar must shake the scoring woes that plagued him last season.

2. Sharks

2012-13: 25-16-7 (57 points)

6th in West

The Sharks have become Logan Couture's team since the dynamic forward figuratively took the leadership reins from Joe Thornton. As always, they have tons of talent, a fine goalie in Antti Niemi (2.16 goals-against, .924 save percentage) and excellent centers. Maybe Couture and freewheeling Brent Burns, who ignited the team after he moved up from defense to wing, have the grit to carry the Sharks to the next level.

3. Coyotes

2012-13: 21-18-9 (51 points),

10th in West

Coach Dave Tippett and general manager Don Maloney worked wonders with a small budget while the NHL ran the Coyotes. New owners George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc have brought stability and agreed to sign proven center Mike Ribeiro to add scoring depth. Defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle are budding stars. The Coyotes should return to the playoffs after missing last season.

4. Ducks

2012-13: 30-12-6 (66 points)

2nd in West

If Teemu Selanne regains the form he displayed early last season, if Dustin Penner is revived by being reunited with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, and if Jakob Silfverberg shows the skill that persuaded the Ducks to trade Bobby Ryan for him, this could be a good season. But that's a lot of ifs. And their defense has holes minus the injured Sheldon Souray, who's out until January. But keep an eye on polished 2012 first-round pick Hampus Lindholm.

5. Canucks

2012-13: 26-15-7 (59 points)

3rd in West

Despite a season-long saga that pointed toward the exit of goalie Roberto Luongo, he remained and backup Cory Schneider was traded to New Jersey. The biggest change is the exit of coach Alain Vigneault and the hiring of hard-nosed John Tortorella, formerly of the Rangers. Tortorella wants an up-tempo game, and the Canucks might not be able to deliver.

6. Oilers

2012-13: 19-22-7 (45 points)

12th in West

So many non-playoff finishes have given them a ton of high draft picks, but their defense and goaltending remain unreliable. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder surgery) and Sam Gagner (broken jaw) aren't expected to be ready to start the season, but the Oilers have depth up front. Signing defenseman Andrew Ference was a good move, but this team is still a year or so away from the playoffs.

7. Flames

2012-23: 19-25-4 (42 points)

13th in West

The Saddledome has been cleaned and repaired after suffering extensive flood damage in June, and the Flames are using the recovery effort as a metaphor for their rebuilding. But while the arena is operable, the Flames still have some sorting out to do. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff retired, leaving former Swiss League goaltender Reto Berra and Finn Karri Ramo — back after four seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League — to fight for the No. 1 job. Brian Burke, hired as the president of hockey operations, could be in charge by Christmas if the Flames start slowly.

Central Division

1. Blackhawks

2012-13: 36-7-5 (77 points)

1st in West and NHL

The Hawks are deep up front and mobile on defense, and goaltender Corey Crawford shared the Jennings Trophy with Ray Emery for fewest goals against last season. Emery is gone, but Nikolai Khabibulin should be a solid backup. Playoff MVP Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews remain hungry after enjoying early success. The plodding Michal Handzus might not be the ideal No. 2 center, but coach Joel Quenneville has flexibility to move players around.